The Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) recently upgraded the SEVP Portal to Release 1.5. This latest release includes changes for students who currently use the portal and information that designated school officials (DSOs) will want to communicate to portal users.

What students should know

As a result of Release 1.5, you can now reset your own accounts if you have been locked out of your account. Instead of contacting your DSO to reset your account, a “Password Reset” option is available on the SEVP Portal login page. In addition:

• Science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) optional practical training (OPT) students will now see their reporting and self-evaluation requirements after logging in to the portal.
• STEM OPT students will only receive an email notification from the portal when an employer end date changes while the student is in an Active period of STEM OPT authorization.

What DSOs should know

Release 1.5’s new features will lessen the burden for some DSOs by holding students accountable for important deadlines and allowing them to unlock their own accounts.

For additional resources, visit the SEVP Portal Help section on Study in the States and to learn more about how the SEVP Portal benefits students and DSOs, read this blog post.